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Persistent mouth problems should be checked to rule out oral cancers

Difficulty swallowing, bad breath, a mouth sore — usually these are temporary issues that tend to pass fast. However, when such problems persist, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out more serious conditions, including oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. These cancers, which fall within the broader category of head and neck cancers, affect the areas in and around the mouth.

“The oral cavity contains the structures we can easily see, including the mobile tongue, floor of mouth, gums and cheeks, to name a few,” said Abhinand Peddada, MD, a radiation oncologist at Renown Health, whose areas of interest include head and neck cancer, gynecologic cancer, and brachytherapy. “The oropharyngeal structures are a little more difficult to visualize and include tonsils, base of tongue — the part of the tongue that does not move — and epiglottis, to name a few.”

According to Peddada, common signs and symptoms of cancers affecting these areas include a palpable neck mass, sore throat, persistent mouth sore, difficulty swallowing or choking when swallowing, pain radiating to one or both ears, changes in voice, persistent bad breath and spitting up blood.

“Many of the above symptoms occur with other nonmalignant conditions and should not be a cause of alarm,” Peddada said. “However, any symptom that is persistent despite conservative measures needs to brought to the attention of a medical professional for further evaluation.”

A good place to start is with your primary care physician. From there, if oral cancer is suspected, a referral may be made to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or another specialist for potential diagnosis and staging.

“Often, special instruments, found in most ENT and radiation oncology offices, such as fiber-optic scopes, are required to visualize these cancers, especially oropharyngeal,” Peddada said.

As far as what causes these cancers to develop, two of the most well-known risk factors are heavy tobacco and alcohol use, but a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) can increase your risk for oral cancer as well.

“Cessation of tobacco and alcohol will significantly reduce the risk of developing head and neck cancers,” Peddada said. “More importantly with the rising incidence of HPV associated cancers, vaccination for HPV is strongly recommended.”

When it comes to treating people already diagnosed with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers, the protocol typically depends on the stage and location of the cancer and may involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of approaches.

“It is critical that the treatment of head and neck cancer is done with a multidisciplinary approach,” Peddada said. “In addition to an ENT specialist, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist, effective therapy mitigating long-term aftereffects will require concurrent nutritionist, dental care, swallow therapy, lymphedema therapy, and social and psychological support. It is important for patients to seek care in a comprehensive medical center for the best outcome.”

(10/10/2021)
by Brandi Vesco

More Information: https://www.rgj.com/story/life/wellness/2018/12/11/persistent-mouth-problems-should-checked-rule-out-oral-cancers/2208585002/

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